I mean, the team needs a backup PG for sure...and a 3rd big (probably PF) who can be a main part of the rotation with JV/Amir, and a 4th big who has C size but isn't immobile like Gray. Gray and Acy are good as bruising/hustle 3rd stringers.

The team has to turn Bargnani into at least a backup PG or 3rd(whether he or Amir starts) big. Then use the MLE to get whatever is missing.
I know if it came to PFs, my #1 MLE target is Carl Landry, if he opts out. If he doesn't, I might actually not bother using the whole MLE on someone. Maybe try to get a couple of depth bigs from guys like Brand, Wright, Clark, Hickson, Turiaf, etc..

I'm really digging Mo Speights as a 3rd big or starting Pf. Or someone like Brand or Jefferson who can smash dudes around in the paint and grabs some boards.

I'm really digging Mo Speights as a 3rd big or starting Pf. Or someone like Brand or Jefferson who can smash dudes around in the paint and grabs some boards.

I think Speights has a team option...Cleveland will pick it up I'm sure, given Varejao could be out for awhile. Brand is high on my list, but he likes being in Dallas and they like having him. He will have many offers I'd think, but will stay in Dallas if he can.

Sorry, im not saying that wouldnt be fantastic, I'm just saying no ones giving up pics and/or cash for that stiff.

I saw a rumor (a tweet on hoopshype, I think) out there that Orlando will start shopping Big Baby this summer as they go into tank mode next season. Bargs = the best player to have for tank mode. I don't particularly like Davis, but he could be an option. He certainly scores inside and rebounds.

My suggestion would be to trade Andrea Bargnani + DeMar DeRozan to the Lakers for Pau Gasol + filler or pick.

From a talent perspective, I think the Raptors will end up losing this trade. DeRozan is an emerging player in his own right, Bargnani is still a 7 footer with range, while Gasol is an aging player who has had his fair share of injuries.

In terms of long-term flexibility, the Raptors are saving $40.5 M in salaries. Gasol is a massive expiring contract @ $19M and he is set to expire at the end of next season. This leaves the Raptors with approximately $66 M in committed salary next season assuming Kleiza gets amnestied, Gray and Lucas pick up their player options & the Raptors pick up Lowry's option.

Fields will not produce the same #'s as DeRozan, but he does however bring defense, IQ, passing & some shot creating. If he can work with the Raptors shooting coach in the off season & improve his shooting to a level that is deemed respectable, we have ourselves a pretty good role player.

This will also open up the roster for Ross & I can only hope that he puts in the work in the off season. In Gasol, Valanciunas has a veteran mentor with championship pedigree and not to mention, Gasol is a very skilled player. Gasol will also allow the Raptors to have somewhat of an inside game.

Barring injuries & assuming the coaching situation improves (whether it's Casey or another coach), this roster is good enough to compete for a playoff spot somewhere between the 5-8 range.

The most important value this trade presents is the ability to get out of our financial situation created by Colangelo handing out massive contracts to average NBA players.

... You can picture our situation NEXT summer. We have a lottery pick, a massive expiring contract in Rudy Gay, Valanciunas and Ross in rookie deals & a TON of cap room. Suddenly, there is a light at the end of the tunnel as insurance should we fall victims of yet another disappointing season.

“I don’t create controversies. They’re there long before I open my mouth. I just bring them to your attention.”

DeRozan isnt going anywhere fellas so relax there and MLSE has already given the ok about paying luxury if the team is winning. Grabbing Pau Gasol would be an awful move, mr Ga-Soft no thanks. mr in 10 games out 20? no thanks. Mr Poster No thanks. Mr Tendenitis? no thanks. Mr Flop? no thanks. Mr 3 time champion sure but this isnt Gasol from some years ago this is mr Retiring in a couple of years knees slightly stronger than Yao Ming Ga-soft yaaaa no thanks.

He's played extremely well in a reduced role in Dallas. I think he'd be great as the backup C (ok, he's more PF than C, but in this day and age, he's definitely strong enough and definitely supplies help D and rebounding), who could also slide to PF for some matchups (like playing Memphis). Again, I think this would be a great option if the PF we get is someone like Carl Landry, who you do not want to rely on for interior presence or defending bruisers.

Good luck with getting any of that with the diarrhea milkshake of a financial situation we have

+1. And amnestying Kleiza + trade Bargnani for someone expiring still leaves us over the cap. MLE is the only way we can acquire these players. $5 million dollars isn't well enough to sign all but one of those insurance wings, and insurance guards.

I personally like Millsap because of his versatility. He can score on the low block with his back to the basket, or can face-up from 15 feet and in. Good rebounder, banger defensively and offensively. Under-sized, but from that list, he's the one with room still left to grow, and benefits us for the future as well.
Ilyasova is a wild card, who knows, he's more of a face-up player and a while he's a good rebounder, and team defender, doesn't really address the need of inside presence.

Toronto needs more of a inside presence than a player to fill the 4 position. Preferably though, it be a power forward because while Amir is a solid starting power forward, he's better suited off the bench, and doesn't provide much inside scoring other than off rolls, or put-backs to the rim.

For a variety of reasons that (which I posted in a different thread but will repeat here), an acquisition of a Pau Gasol will benefit the Raptors in a lot of ways. In the other thread, I suggested a trade of Andrea Bargnani + DeMar DeRozan for Pau Gasol + filler or pick, say perhaps, Jodie Meeks.

#1 - He is a skilled big man [rebounds, can pass, can hit 15 - 18 ft shots, has size, low post and high post threat]

#2 - He automatically becomes Valanciunas' mentor even for just 1 year (but can definitely extend beyond that)

#3 - Moving DeMar DeRozan (promising player - but will no longer be in his rookie deal) clears up some space for Terrence Ross' development.

#4 - This would probably mean Fields becomes the starting 2. He doesn't score like DeMar, but he is a very smart player especially on defense and he is capable of rebounding.

#5 - Lowry is on a contract year. He can compensate for DeRozan's offensive production.

# 6 - Massive $19 M expiring contract. This clears up our financial situation long-term. By removing Bargnani's dead weight & DeRozan's long term contract and replacing it with an expiring, the Raptors can save $40 M in salaries over the next 4 years.

#7 - If all else fails and the Raptors don't make the playoffs next year, this deal leaves us with a 2014 lottery pick, a sh!t load of cap space & a couple of massive expiring contracts in Rudy Gay and Landry Fields. Terrence Ross and Valanciunas remain as foundation pieces & you can rebuild as early as NEXT off season.

#8 - If things do work, we have a primary scorer in Gay, a secondary scorer in Lowry, inside presence in Gasol, Amir as a 3rd big [what luxury], good wing defender in Fields & prospects in Ross & Valanciunas.

“I don’t create controversies. They’re there long before I open my mouth. I just bring them to your attention.”